Statia future status

Netherlands Antilles
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The Netherlands Antilles is to be disbanded on December 15, 2008. This agreement would end the Netherlands Antilles by December 15, 2008 and make available for the islands 1 billion guilders for debt relief, social development and poverty reduction.
Sint Eustatius would become a direct part of the Netherlands as special municipality (bijzondere gemeente), a form of "public body" (openbaar lichaam) as outlined in article 134 of the Dutch Constitution. This municipality will resemble an ordinary Dutch municipality in most ways (it will have a mayor, aldermen and a municipal council, for example) and will have to introduce most Dutch law. Residents of the island will also be able to vote in Dutch national and European elections. The Dutch province of North Holland has offered the new municipality to officially become part of the province.